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January 4, 2012                                                 Jill Nidiffer (404) 494-3439          

The Paradies Shops Introduces Chef Michael Symon’s Bar Symon to Pittsburgh International Airport

Offerings Will Include Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches and Sides Made from Locally Sourced Ingredients

Atlanta, GA – January 4, 2012– The Paradies Shops, named “Best Airport Retailer” for 16 consecutive years by Airport Revenue News’ “Best Of” poll has partnered with United Concessions Group, Inc. (UCG) to deliver the first Michael Symon Bar Symon Kitchen and Tap House to Pittsburgh International Airport.

Growing up in a Greek and Sicilian family, Celebrity Iron Chef Michael Symon is best known for creating boldly flavored, deeply satisfying dishes at his four restaurants in America’s heartland: Lola, Lolita, Roast and B Spot; and equally shares his exuberant, approachable cooking style and infectious laugh with viewers as an Iron Chef on the Food Network.  Author of Michael Symon’s Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen, Symon shares home cook-friendly recipes that draw on the flavors of his heritage.

"We are very excited to partner with United Concessions Group, AIRMALL and The Paradies Shops on our first ever airport venture.  Bar Symon is sure to bring a unique dining experience to airport travelers" said Chef Symon. 

“We are very proud to be part of this exceptionally talented team that all share a passion for excellence in delivering great cuisine and uncompromising service”, said Gregg Paradies, president and CEO of The Paradies Shops.  “We look forward to a long relationship, growing Bar Symon restaurants in airports across the country.”

Founded in 1982, UCG is a leader in concessions management in airports across the country.  UCG teamed up with Michael Symon to offer Pittsburgh travelers the incredible tastes this renowned Chef has provided to guests at his famous restaurants. “Our combined experience, relationships and entrepreneurial spirit are the right formula for providing PIT’s patrons what they want,” states Ben Rababy, Vice President and Treasurer of UCG.  “We are confident that by joining forces with The Paradies Shops we will be able to leverage both our capabilities and produce a one-of-a-kind partnership that will be second to none in providing our hurried patrons quality food they can trust and that’s responsibly farmed in a sustainable fashion.”

Integrating comfort food in a tap-house setting, Bar Symon will serve an array of mouth-watering appetizers, salads, sandwiches and sides made from the freshest and finest quality ingredients locally available.  From pulled pork sliders to hand-cut fries topped with Dortmunder and Cheddar gravy, the menu tantalizes the tastes buds with flavor combinations only an Iron Chef could orchestrate.  Sandwiches include Symon’s famous Lola Burger, an all natural, hormone and additive free burger topped with a fried egg and pickled onion.  The ultimate comfort food explodes onto the Bar Symon scene with Baked Mac & Cheese dishes ranging from goat cheese, pulled chicken and rosemary to provolone, ground beef and tomato.

 About Chef Michael Symon

Since being named a Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine in 1998, Michael and his restaurants have been awarded numerous honors: In 2010, he was the first chef ever to host the annual Farm Aid benefit concert; Bon Appetit magazine included B Spot on their list of “Top 10 Best New Burger Joints”; and B Spot’s Fat Doug burger won the People’s Choice Award at the SoBe Wine & Food Festival. In 2009, Michael earned The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Great Lakes and the Detroit Free Press named Roast “Restaurant of the Year.” In 2000, Gourmet magazine chose Lola as one of “America’s Best Restaurants.” In 2010, Michael appeared on four Food Network/Cooking Channel shows, hosting Food Feuds and Cook Like an Iron Chef, judging season three of The Next Iron Chef and competing on Iron Chef America. Michael won season 1 of The Next Iron Chef in 2008, earning him a permanent spot on the panel of esteemed Iron Chefs. He made his debut on the network in 1998 with appearances on Sara’s Secrets with Sara Moulton, Ready, Set, Cook and Food Nation with Bobby Flay, before being tapped to host more than 100 episodes of The Melting Pot.

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About The Paradies Shops

Named Best Airport Retailer for the past 16 consecutive years by Airport Revenue News, The Paradies Shops was established in 1960. A family-owned business, The Paradies Shops operates over 500 stores in more than 70 markets across the United States and Canada. With extensive experience in operating both local and national brands, to include CNBC News, PGA TOUR Shops, Brooks Brothers, Brighton Collectibles, Harley-Davidson, and The New York Times Bookstores, The Paradies Shops maintains a substantial presence as one of the largest airport retailers. For more information, please visit www.theparadiesshops.com.

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